"Hey, it's going to be okay," Duncan says, taking my hand as I stand in the short-term parking lot. "Come on, if this Volvo doesn't convince them that I'm a changed man who is worthy of their daughter's hand, I'm not sure what will. Unfortunately, I can't remove the tatts easily."
"What are you talking about? You added to your ink," I remind him, touching his chest. It had been a spur of the moment decision, but we both sported ink now, Duncan wearing 'Carrie' over his heart while I now have 'Duncan' inscribed on the inside of my left wrist. I'd wanted it over my heart as well, but Duncan asked that I not put ink on, what he called, the most perfect breasts ever created. "I still feel weird not wearing my ring to keep this surprise. Just make sure you keep your shirt on until after we tell my folks, okay?"
"That shouldn't be a problem. I doubt your Dad wants to see me shirtless anyway," Duncan teases back, taking my hand and kissing the fingertips before holding it. "It'll be okay."
I nod, and we walk into the baggage terminal. Mom and Dad's flight is supposed to land in just a few minutes, so we're definitely early. I take a seat on one of the benches, Duncan taking the seat next to me.
"I know it's going to be okay, I just . . . my parents, you know?" I say, taking a seat. "I'd like to keep things good between us. I'm not blaming you for your relationship with your parents. Your dad is a certifiable bastard, but it'd be nice if our baby has at least one set of good grandparents."
"I agree," Duncan says without any rancor about me calling his dad a bastard. Actually, nobody has seen or heard from Winston Hart in months, and there have even been questions raised. The police, in fact, called Duncan yesterday, but he told them everything he knew, and that since then, he hadn't seen his father at all. I suspect that if anyone does find Winston Hart, it'll most likely be in Nevada. There's a lot of empty space in Nevada, a lot of desert where men can just . . . disappear. Still, part of me, a kinder part, hopes he's safe somewhere.
"Delta Flight 7231, bags arriving at Carousel 12," a public address system says, and we stand up to make our way over.
"That's them,” I say, waiting. The airport is huge, so big that even the baggage area needs multiple entrances and exits, and it's still another five minutes before I see Mom and Dad come down the escalator from the upper floor of the airport. "Mom! Dad!"
They wave, Dad with their carry-on over his shoulder, and I'm relieved to see that they look good. Dad's not looking as stressed out as before, and Mom, if anything, looks younger.
"Honey!" Mom calls, greeting me. She gives me a hug over the security barrier while Dad gets their bag, a single roller that they're sharing. "Oh, it was so nice to get your invitation. A surprise, but a welcome one."
"I'm just glad Dad was able to make his schedule fit," I say as Mom lets go. "It's so awesome that you can come down."
"Well, when you get such a mysterious invitation, how can you say no? Big news, a paid four days in a five-star hotel, and Duncan's graduating soon? By the way, it's good to see you, Duncan. You're looking very handsome today."
"And you, Mrs. Mittel, are as lovely as your daughter," Duncan replies, giving Mom a hug and kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you're staying in a hotel, because if you go anywhere near campus, you're going to have college guys all over you, and your husband is going to be very jealous."
Mom actually blushes and smiles, playfully pushing Duncan away. "You're incorrigible, Duncan. And do I need to tell you again? Call me Cora."
"Carrie tells me that all the time. But I'll try to remember, Cora.”
Dad comes over, and Duncan offers his hand, which Dad takes, if not with a lot of enthusiasm, at least he isn't chilly. After all, in his point of view, Duncan and I have been dating for eight months now, so he's at least somewhat accepting of Duncan being part of my life. "Duncan, congrats on getting drafted."
"Thank you, Mr. Mittel. I'm glad you guys get to be here for a visit. It means a lot to me."
We go out to the Volvo, which surprises Dad. "Where'd you get this?"
"Uh, there have been a lot of changes since the Sunshine Bowl," I say. "I didn't tell you, but Duncan lost his bike."
"What happened? Did you get in an accident?" Mom asks, and Duncan shakes his head.
"No, Cora, it was repossessed," Duncan answers without any shame. "Most of my lifestyle prior to the Sunshine Bowl was funded by my father. He got himself into a lot of financial troubles, and when the banks came to collect, I ended up with not a lot left. I'm just lucky that my apartment and school were pre-paid."